Rain and sunshine
Weekend itinerary around Coimbatore #02
It’s been a year since I went for a long drive on my hawk (bike). When I saw a long weekend it was a perfect time to put things into action. I wanted to redo a route I did in 2016 with my previous bike. But to make it exciting and due to availability of stay, I planned to do inverse the course (Coimbatore — Vagamon — Munnar — Coimbatore) ~550Kms in total in 3 days. I planned this at the last minute, but fortunately, I could book a slot in Zostel Vagamon and Munnar for the layover. Rain was not in my plan, but the summer rains started when it was time for the ride. Fortunately, it saved me from the harsh sun on the highways.
The sun after the rain is much more beautiful than the sun before the rain. — Mehmet Murat Ildan
I started around 09:00 AM from Coimbatore towards Vagamon, which is 253km. Since it was a Good Friday and the month of Ramadan, most of the shops were closed, and the roads were ghosted. But there are many cafes and hotels on the way to plan for your lunch. We pass through South India’s longest six-lane road tunnel (Kuthiran Tunnel Road). I had one stop to refresh and have lunch at the KFC in Perumbavoor before reaching Vagamon.
This route is very scenic. You would pass through Reservoir, Waterfalls, Viewpoints, and a fantastic landscape.
After a beautiful ride through this landscape for about 2.5 hours, I reached Vagamon. I booked the stay at Zostel, Vagamon, which is located inside Winter Vale tea estate. I met exciting travelers. We went to a sunset viewpoint and had some interesting conversations.
We made an ad-hoc plan to visit Idduki next with other travelers. We started in the morning to reach Idduki dam via Moolamattom. This route has some fantastic roads via Teak plantations, Elappally waterfall, and Idukki reservoir.
We reached the Cheruthoni Dam, had a walk, and booked a boat ride at Idukki reservoir, about an hour going around the dam and Idukki wildlife sanctuary.
After the ride, we had Thalassery biryani, and we parted ways to the next destination. I started to Munnar, which is about 50kms from Idukki. I reached Munnar at sunset traveling through Panamkutty Bridge, Chengulam Dam, and Chithirapuram View Point.
I met a few interesting folks at Zostel Munnar, and this trip was more a Zostel hopping after a good dinner and sleep. I have started in the morning back to Coimbatore stopping for breakfast at Sandal Breeze Restaurant, Marayoor, traveling 158km and reaching at 12:30 PM.
Like the sky opens after a rainy day we must open to ourselves. Learn to love yourself for who you are and be open so the world can see you shine. — James Poland
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